PR 2021: The Imminent Transformation of Cannabis Communications

Despite a turbulent year, cannabis ended on a high note in 2020 with five states voting to legalize adult-use or medical marijuana, monumental year-over-year sales growth, and record-high levels of nationwide public support for federal decriminalization, which is a real possibility in 2021. Adult-use legalization is expected to spread across East Coast states, opening doors to entirely new consumer segments with vastly different personalities and expectations than their West Coast counterparts. How do cannabis marketers and PR specialists adapt to shifting consumer attitudes and a rapidly maturing industry? What do cannabis communications look like following federal cannabis reform? This session brings together leading cannabis communications and marketing executives that have guided companies since the industry’s early days to explore the future of cannabis communications. Panelists will discuss marketing opportunities and challenges presented by federal rescheduling, how to effectively reach and impact consumers in up-and-coming recreational markets and reflect on the most valuable lessons they’ve learned over the past year that they’re bringing with them into 2021.

Speaker Bios

Rosie Mattio, CEO of MATTIO Communications

Rosie is founder of MATTIO Communications, the preeminent cannabis marketing agency in the U. S. She helped usher in the New Cannabis Age, garnering global media coverage in mainstream publications for clients, including the first cannabis article ever published in Oprah Magazine. Over the past year, her New York firm has grown alongside the industry, adding marketing and communications services for clients, including content, SEO, investor relations, event planning and influencer marketing.

Today, Rosie is considered a market maker in the world of cannabis. Ranked the #1 cannabis PR firm by Green Market Report, Rosie is a strategic powerhouse, industry connector and influencer. Rosie has been named a High Times Female 50 and Forbes Fifteen Powerful And Innovative Women In Cannabis.

Mary Pryor, Chief Marketing Officer at TONIC CBD

Mary Pryor is a passionate and vocal media expert currently based in Los Angeles and New York. Mary’s goal is to provide online branding and digital trend-forecasting for the general market by empowering communities through the utilization of digital tools. She is the co-founder of Cannaclusive, a collective focused on inclusive marketing and business advocacy in the cannabis industry, New York Chapter President of Minorities for Medical Marijuana, and she serves as Chief Marketing Officer for Tonic CBD and Tricolla Farms.

Mary currently serves on the board for Possible Plan, a Cura Cannabis social equity effort and serves as an advisor and judge for Eaze Momentum Accelerator. She advises three cannabis and non-plant-touching companies: Kanna, Dieux Skin, Flor De Maria Chocolates. She is a proud native Detroiter and graduate of the University of Michigan. In 2014 she was recognized as SXSW’s Innovator of the Year.

Javier Hasse, Managing Director at Benzinga Cannabis

Javier Hasse is a cannabis, hemp, CBD and psychedelics-focused reporter, currently serving as Managing Director for Benzinga Cannabis, and CEO of Spanish language news site El Planteo, a company he co-founded. His book, “Start Your Own Cannabis Business,” was published by Entrepreneur Media in 2018 and hit the #1 Best-Seller spot on Amazon. As an award-winning reporter and editor, Javier’s had roughly 5,000 unique articles in multiple languages published across numerous mass media outlets including CNN, Forbes, MSN, Chicago Tribune, CNBC, Yahoo Finance, Entrepreneur Magazine, MarketWatch, Nasdaq, Playboy, MERRY JANE, High Times, and many others. Beyond cannabis, Javier is a published photographer and Billboard-charting rapper, featured on hip-hop albums that also included Wu-Tang Clan’s RZA and Inspectah Deck, Twista, Lil Windex, Riff Raff and others.

Alice Moon, Founder of Alice Moon PR & Creative Agency

Alice Moon is a cannabis entrepreneur living in Los Angeles, California. Her career in cannabis started in 2011 as a trimmer and budtender. In 2018, Moon was diagnosed with Cannabinoid Hyperemesis Syndrome and had to cease cannabis use completely. This led to her shifting her career towards Public Relations and Event Production. In May 2018, she co-produced and co-hosted the California Cannabis Awards, which was the first cannabis event to be held at LA Live. From October 2018 to April 2019, Moon worked as Director of Public Relations for ParagonSpace, a coworking space for the cannabis industry. Moon was named by Green Entrepreneur as a top 100 Most Important Women in Cannabis in 2019.

Moon worked for 7 months in 2019 as the Director of Communications for Blunt Talks, a monthly event series focused on education and elevation for the cannabis community. She helped take the event from 100 attendees per event to 500 attendees at their biggest event ever held at the Exchange in Downtown Los Angeles.

Most recently, Moon founded Alice Moon PR & Creative Agency, working with cannabis clients focused on the tech sector. Moon helps brands creatively convey their brands mission and vision. Moon is always looking for ways to work with others. Her expertise in brand development, public relations, social media, writing, public speaking, event production and event hosting makes her a valuable resource to startups and well established brands alike.

This event is free to CMA Members and $20 for Non-Members.